Score another win for state firearms preemption laws. When a municipality tries to impose stricter gun laws than the state allows, sometimes all it takes is one vigilant citizen to set things straight—and that’s exactly what happened last week in Canton, Ohio.
Until recently, the Canton Park Commission enforced a local ban on carrying firearms in city parks. But thanks to the Buckeye Firearms Association and one observant Canton resident, Daniel Gates, that restriction just got the boot. Gates noticed that Canton’s no-guns policy in parks conflicted with state law, which permits firearms in public parks across Ohio. He didn’t waste any time pointing this out to the local government, sparking a change that underscores why state preemption laws matter.
Here’s how it went down. Gates reached out to Doug Foltz, the Parks Director in Canton, to call out the inconsistency. Foltz, it turns out, wasn’t even aware that Ohio law overrides local gun restrictions in public parks. This was a major oversight, given that Ohio’s preemption laws were enacted back in 2007 and have since been reinforced by court rulings, including one from the Ohio Supreme Court in 2008. With Gates’ intervention, the Canton Park Commission voted on October 22 to remove the outdated restriction, putting their policies in line with state law at last.
For Gates, this was a win not only for his own rights but for the broader principles of constitutionality and lawful carry. In his words, “I’m glad they made a decision that should have been made 16 years ago. It gives me hope that the constitution might still hold weight.” His comment resonates with Second Amendment supporters who know the power of the individual standing up against restrictive, outdated regulations. Gates’ actions highlight how one law-abiding citizen, informed and willing to speak up, can bring about real change in local policies.
Gates initially noticed the city’s no-guns policy during a First Friday event at Centennial Plaza, where he was openly carrying his handgun. Officers reportedly followed him through the park due to Canton’s existing no-firearms rule. Afterward, Gates’ father contacted the Canton police chief, who confirmed that carrying in a public park would indeed lead to an arrest—based on the city’s outdated park policy, not state law. Gates, however, knew better, and so did the Buckeye Firearms Association.
The Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA), a dedicated Ohio-based gun rights advocacy group, commented on the situation by acknowledging the persistence of these unlawful local policies across the state. According to the BFA, despite state preemption laws, some cities still cling to their no-guns signs in public areas, even though state law has overridden these restrictions. But in cases like Canton’s, where residents bring attention to these discrepancies, many smaller cities are willing to comply with the law once it’s politely brought to their attention. Unfortunately, this willingness doesn’t always apply to the state’s larger, more politically liberal cities.
According to the BFA, “Over the years, cities have grudgingly removed their no-guns signs, but some remain. Most small and medium-sized cities, even those that lean left politically, prefer to abide by the law and avoid litigation, so they are generally willing to modify their ordinances when you clearly and politely point out discrepancies.”
Larger Ohio cities, like Columbus and Cincinnati, are another matter entirely. Even after Ohio’s preemption law passed in 2007 to override city-level gun control measures, some big-city officials have continued to resist. Columbus and Cincinnati, for instance, have openly defied the state’s laws, requiring lawsuits to bring them into line with preemption rulings. In one such case, it took a decision by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2008 to affirm that banning firearms in public parks violated state law. Just last year, the city of Upper Arlington finally acknowledged their local restrictions were illegal and made adjustments to comply with state law, but some larger cities persist in their defiance, essentially forcing residents and gun rights groups to take them to court to ensure compliance.
Canton’s situation underscores the importance of keeping an eye on local laws that might infringe on Second Amendment rights. While Ohio has a solid preemption law, it’s evident that municipalities—whether through ignorance or deliberate resistance—sometimes stray from the path. When they do, it often falls on the shoulders of citizens like Daniel Gates to set the record straight. Gates’ story serves as a reminder that the fight for gun rights doesn’t only play out at the state or federal level; it also happens right in our hometowns, in our city parks, and even at community events.
Gates’ successful challenge also illustrates a broader point: when citizens push back against unjust and illegal local regulations, real change can happen. He didn’t rely on lengthy court battles or wait for a group lawsuit to solve the problem. Instead, he did his homework, contacted the right people, and showed that even one person can correct a government misstep.
The BFA rightly points out that cities with illegal firearm restrictions often find it easier—and certainly less costly—to make corrections when citizens approach them directly. But when large cities like Columbus or Cincinnati dig in their heels, they risk both costly litigation and alienating residents who simply want their rights honored.
So, here’s to Daniel Gates and to all who stand up for their rights. His actions remind us that even small steps in local jurisdictions contribute to a greater cause: ensuring that every lawful gun owner has the freedom to carry in accordance with state and federal laws. When cities defy preemption laws, they’re not just inconveniencing law-abiding gun owners; they’re undermining the rights that keep us all safer and freer.
Let’s hope that other municipalities across Ohio and the country take note. Compliance with state law should be automatic, not optional. When residents like Gates stand up, they shine a light on areas where local governments are overstepping. And in doing so, they remind everyone—whether on a city council or a park commission—that the Second Amendment is a right for all, upheld at every level.
